This memorial is dedicated to the staff and aircrew who served and trained at 10 Elementary Flying Training School (10 EFTS), September 1, 1942 to September 15, 1945.
In August 1940, the Hamilton Aero Club was asked by National Defence staff in Ottawa, to organize an elementary flying training school to operate at Mount Hope airport (now the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport). Raising the required capital, incorporating the company, finding and training the staff, 10 Elementary Flying Training School (10 EFTS) opened their first office at the airport on September 1, 1940.
By early October, the first aircraft arrived on site with the first students arriving on October 14. By spring 1942, the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan was required to train more navigators and the Navigation School at Mount Hope was expanded. This expansion led to the relocation of 10 EFTS from Hamilton to Pendleton/Curran (near Ottawa), a distance of 640 km.
In August 1942, 10 EFTS moved staff and equipment to their new location and full training commenced on September 1. By the end of May 1944, developments overseas required that the previously all-civilian 10 EFTS staff be replaced by RCAF personnel. The 10 EFTS continued to operate with an RCAF staff until its closure on September 15, 1945.
